Dog walkers in Knockentiber are urging councillors to put the brakes on speeding cyclists who use the bike path through the village.

The popular trail linking Kilmarnock and Irvine has become busier because of the growing interest in cycling after Britain’s high profile successes at the Olympics and the Tour de France.

July’s month-long heatwave attracted more walkers and cyclists than ever to the tarred path which was previously known in Knockentiber as the nature trail.

The sunshine also forced up the greenery at either side of the former railway track bed, making it difficult for cyclists to see what’s ahead and for walkers to be aware of bikes approaching at speed.

Now residents are asking for warning signs to be posted along the route of the path which was established by the national transport charity Sustrans in partnership with East Ayrshire Council and the former Enterprise Ayrshire.

Walkers with dogs fear they themselves or their pets could be injured by cyclists who race along the narrow, winding trail with little regard for others.

The signs they want erected would indicate that the path is for shared use and that both cyclists and walkers should show consideration for other users.

One regular on the path said that a few cyclists had suddenly started using the strip of tar as a training ground – and take umbrage at anyone getting in their way.

Marion McNab, who lives in the new estate linked to the path, said: “It’s as if no one else should be there.

“The vast majority of bikers are mannerly and pleasant.They make a point of slowing down and acknowledging you, just as the dog walkers work hard at allowing the bikers through unheeded.

“But there are some who think they have a God-given right to race along the path, head down and hell-bent on not stopping.

“Well, they don’t.

“They have to be responsible.”

Several residents have complained to the police who have promised to monitor the route which is also plagued by scooter and moped riders late at night.

Some of the vegetation has also been cut down to remove blind bends and widen the path.

But walkers know the only answer is for some compromise among all path users.

Marion, 62, added: “Someone will come a cropper soon – and it could be a cyclist just as much as a walker or an animal, if not all three.

“What annoys most people is that these cyclists grunt or groan when you get in their way.

“They show no remorse and keep on pedalling with no hint of even trying to slow down.”

Cycle club member Matthew McGowan, 40, of Irvine, said: “A small minority give us a bad name.

“There’s enough room on the path for everyone. It was never designed as a racetrack for mindless bike riders.”

The path was once the route of the old Kilmarnock-Ardrossan railway, closed in 1964 by Beeching.

It is now a spur line off the National Cycle Network, which runs on traffic-reduced lanes and traffic-free paths all the way from Inverness to Sunderland.

The council has vowed to send a team to look at the issue.

Kevan Aitken, head of roads and transportation at the council, said: “We have arranged for a team to inspect the route this Thursday, August 8.